Chemical Engineering program chair Dr. Alvin R. Caparanga had been named to succeed Prof. Luz L. Lozano as the Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry (ChE-Chm) when she retired on her 65th birthday last September 21.

Meanwhile, Prof. Edna J. Calderon will formally take up the post of chemistry program chair on October 2, another post vacated by the recently-retired dean. Caparanga will also simultaneously serve as the program chair for chemical engineering, a position he has occupied since mid-2003.

Taking note of Quacquarelli Symonds’ one-star rating on research during their audit here, Caparanga plans to involve both the faculty and students in research work. He also aims to “continue and improve” the University’s performance during licensure examinations, and have all four programs (chemical engineering, chemistry, biological engineering, and materials science and engineering) under his wing accredited.

The new dean will also take into account the faculty and the student body when it comes to instituting changes within the School. “[Pinaplano ko] is to involve the faculty in the planning when there are changes, tapos ‘yong students din. I have to make it sure that whatever changes we make, it will be cascaded to the students. So may involvement talaga ang mga students,” Caparanga remarked.

Lozano earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Mapúa University in 1975, eventually rising to become concurrently dean of the School of CHE-CHM and subject chair for chemistry in 2003. On the other hand, Caparanga, also an MU alum, first earned his degree on November 1991. He was named the subject chair for chemical engineering at the same time Lozano was made Dean.